Despite introducing new regulations and strict enforcement, the roads of Ernakulam continue to remain unsafe for those riding two-wheelers.
As per official estimates by the State police, about 84% of the total accidents reported from Ernakulam last year were bike accidents. Of the 6,167 cases reported during the period, 5,235 were two-wheeler accidents.
“Most accidents were caused by speeding and reckless driving, and in some cases, the victims were not even wearing helmets,” sources said.
In two-wheeler accidents, Ernakulam is closely followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 5,229 cases. Ernakulam also tops the total number of accidents reported during the period, followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 5,414 cases. The number of deaths reported from Ernakulam was 536, and in Thiruvananthapuram, it was 531.
The number of grievously injured persons was 4,820 in Thiruvananthapuram, as against 4,465 persons in Ernakulam. The number of accidents, especially those involving two-wheelers, has actually reduced in the district when compared with the previous year. In 2015, Ernakulam witnessed about 5,280 two-wheeler accidents as against 5,235 the next year.
“Going by the estimates with the Motor Vehicles Department, an average of 6.5 lakh vehicles are added to our roads every year, leading to a rise in traffic hazards, exposures and risk factors. However, a majority of the accident victims, who were either driving a two-wheeler or riding pillion, would have survived had they used helmets,” said a senior officer with the State police.
Besides congested roads and indifference to traffic rules, the presence of super bikes, which are seen regularly clocking a speed of over 100 kmph on the roads in Ernakulam, are also contributing to the rising number of accidents.